Rainbow-painted crosswalks in Jacksonville’s Five Points and Springfield neighborhoods could be removed following a new directive from the Trump administration.
U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy sent a letter to all governors this month telling them to make sure that all roadways are kept free of “distractions.”
“Roads are for safety, not political messages or artwork,” he said. “Today I am calling on governors in every state to ensure that roadways, intersections, and crosswalks are kept free of distractions.”
Duffy said the markings can result in traffic accidents.
“Far too many Americans die each year to traffic fatalities to take our eye off the ball. USDOT stands ready to help communities across the country make their roads safer and easier to navigate,” he said.
Jacksonville currently has two rainbow painted crosswalks in honor of the city’s LGBTQ community in the Springfield and Five Points neighborhoods.
They were part of a community initiative led by Riverside Avondale Preservation, a nonprofit organization focused on neighborhood improvement.
The project received support from Jacksonville City Councilman Jimmy Peluso, the Five Points Merchant Association, and the AIDS Memorial Project of Northeast Florida.
St. Johns County does not currently have any Pride-themed crosswalks.
